City Council OKs New Ethics Board

Mayor Emanuel presides over the City Council meeting Wednesday where his overhauled Board of Ethics was approved.
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DNAinfo/Ted Cox

CHICAGO — The Chicago City Council approved Mayor Rahm Emanuel's appointment of an entirely overhauled Board of Ethics Wednesday.

Without opposition, the council affirmed the seven-member panel Emanuel appointed earlier in the month.

The board includes Chairman Stephen Beard, executive vide president and general counsel of the leadership consulting firm Heidrick & Struggles, and two judges: Julia Nowicki and Michael Gallagher.

Ald. Richard Mell (33rd), chairman of the committee on rules and ethics, called it "a phenomenal board."

Ald. Edward Burke (14th) added that it was made up of "a tremendous group of people" who would "ensure transparency in city government."

Emanuel called it "a fresh beginning" for ethics in city government, adding that he would introduce new ethics ordinances next month to clarify the board's role and responsibilities.

The Board of Ethics has been criticized as a do-nothing body whose duties overlap with those of the city inspector general. Emanuel is expected to introduce measures to put the inspector general fully in charge of investigations, with the board ruling on their merit.

Other members of the board include Russell Carlson, a former city budget official, Fran Grossman, director of the Chicago Microlending Institute, Daisy Lezama, a policy director at the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, and Mary Trout Carr, a pastor and author.